Friday, May 05, 2006

Walking In Love

Taking another look on how people view homosexuality takes a whole new spin on the hatred and prejudice that takes place in the world. Those people call it ‘walking in love’ and make excuses for their ungodly behavior. They act out in self-defense and call us ‘sinners’ when they have their own sins to deal with. Being a hypocrite and walking in love are two different things.

“Everyone who believes in Him is freed from all guilt and declared rigt with God—something the Jewish law (Old Testament) could never do.” ~Acts 13:39

I was watching a documentary "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise," and was happy to see so many gay families attend this cruise. It focused on the lives of children who were brought up in gay & lesbian households. These children and young adults were all wiser beyond their years. They had so much clarity and acceptance towards everyone. The families would get together and talk about the trials they endured while adopting or going through artificial insemination in order to create a family, as well as how the children coped with others who were opposed to it.

They created an environment that enabled them to share their story and how they handled outsiders' point of views of their lifestyle. They held meetings and support groups on this cruise, and it was so interesting what they all had to say and what they went through. They also demonstrated how much love they had for one another as a family. It was amazing.

While stopping on an island, these two men who were about to exchange vows went into a jeweler to look at rings along with their 7 year old son.

The jeweler asked, “So you’re looking for wedding bands?”“Yes, I’m getting married this week, and I want my son to help me pick it out.”“Oh how nice! And what are you going to pick out for your mommy?” The jeweler ask, (automatically assuming that it was a heterosexual couple tying the knot.)“I don’t have a mommy.” the boy says sheepishly.“Well then, what do you have?”“I have a daddy and a daddy.”

The father hugged his son. The jeweler just looked at him, and backed up in embarrassment. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know—he just wasn’t exposed to that kind of lifestyle. A lot of people would have given the same reaction.

As they docked the boat over in the Bahamas, they were greeted with radical pseudo-Christians who were holding a rally against the homosexuals stepping foot on their island.

They all chanted, “NO!...NO!...NO!...” while holding up picket signs that spewed hatred and resentment towards the gay community and their families. Some parents had to cover the eyes of their children as they walked off the boat so they wouldn’t have to witness this sort of thing. Other parents didn’t have to; their kids were already exposed to this kind of treatment by extremists.

“Yes, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will go on deceiving others, and they themselves will be deceived.” ~2 Timothy 3:12

Homosexual families will continue to endure this unfair treatment by people who claim to be perfect; people who claim that Jesus is their Lord. But let me ask you, would Jesus want these radicals to lash out at others? Would you see Jesus in a rally holding picket signs of hatred and resentment towards His own people?

No…Because Jesus “is” love. God is love. If you treat one of his children with hatred---whether being judgmental or criticizing one another; it’s still looked down upon by God.

Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to condemn your neighbor? ~James 4:11-12

Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. ~Matthew 7:5

Theologians and bible thumping radicals will always try to make you feel bad for whatever your sin is. They will consistently bash you and say it’s of God’s work. I would like to think that my God is an ‘all loving’ God who has forgiven me for my sins. I’d hope that the God that I worship is a God that’s merciful, and not full of hate and prejudice towards his children.

"Love One Another"

“If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us.” 1 John 3:14-16

“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:18-20

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. There is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.” 1 John 4:7-12

It’s absolutely crazy to see so many radical pseudo-Christians prancing around displaying hatred towards the gay and lesbian community—as well as their families. It’s a disgrace which shows no sign of love.

To me, this is not what God wants. I was called a ‘mocker’ for loving Christ, and living with my partner who I love for twelve years. Dani, was appalled by this, and said that I mocked God by loving Him with all my heart and professing that He is my Savior, when I love another person of the same gender. Why would anybody care ‘who’ I love? If I had children, would they terrorize them? Would they torture them with hateful words and call them sinners?

I just want to say how bad I felt for those families that walked off that ship into a pool of angry protesters. Who are they to judge us? Who are they to even criticize us for our lifestyle when they have their own issues to tend with?

Ironically enough, the person who says you’re a pervert for being gay will go back home, do her drugs and neglect her kids. Do we judge her? ..No. But she’ll be back out there in the picket lines protesting against the gay and lesbian communities calling it ‘walking in love’.Please visit Julia Booth on her thoughts about Christianity and the way she views what it means to be a loving Christian. The post is called, "Myths About Christianity". It's a thought provoking post that's well written and very articulate. Go visit her if you can.

I feel sadness for these people who condemn the gay community. They are the same who have decided exactly when life begins, and so call woman who have abortions, and those who do them murderers. They have also decided when life ends, as in the case of Terri Schiavo, who God took home, but who's body was kept alive by SCIENCE. These are the Pharisee's of the 21st century, piling guilt and shame on those who do not measure up to THEIR standards. Thankfully, I believe that msot of the Christian church recognizes that we all need God's grace, and that we are called to reach out in LOVE. Hang in there, Deb, nad may God bless you AND your partner. Ken

yep, another highwater mark in the history of religion, kinda like the crusades and the inquisition. intolerance is ugly, no matter how you slice it. i like the first quote the best. if we all truly are forgiven in believing, then it should end there. your blog has really made me re-evaluate a lot of beliefs in my life. thanks Deb, you rock.

you should read my most recent post. I have mixed feelings about the homosexuality issue...as a Christian. I don't feel that it is as black and white as some may choose to think. I can't imagine God would approve of hatred of any group of people.

I really admire your perserverance on this issue, deb... I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Rosie's, but it's shocking to me that Chritians can widely accept and forgive the issues of divorce, adultry, subtance abuse and addictions, lying, cheating, etc., etc. among hetero couples, but when a child is raised in the home of a loving, caring, committed couple who happen to be of the same gender - this is somehow wrong. No thanks. I plan to raise my child to love and respect everyone regardless... Even Rosie!

Grant recommended your blog to me since I told him I was a Christian who doesn't quite fit the mold. I deplore the church's attitudes about homosexuality; I just don't agree. We are all God's children made in his image. I lead a heterosexual life, but I've been close to many gay and lesbian people, often more loving and giving than my so-called Christian brothers and sisters. I know what the bible says about homosexuality, but I don't read it as the Bible thumpers do. If my children grow up to be gay, should I love them any less or not welcome those who they choose as their mates? Jesus loved all of us; I confess that I am not that loving of a person and it becomes all too apparent in my dealings, but even though I have just only read your blog now, I want you to know that you are my sister in Christ and I love you, no BS. God bless you and your partner.

It's a sad part of humantiy, the way we busy ourselves with others business. Maybe one day it will finally change. We just have to start with outselves, and then raise our children to be loving and educated human beings, then they can do the same. Great post, Deb.

I called you a mocker, not for “loving” God, but for openly living a sexually immoral life. Essentially, you are slapping God in the face and saying, “Thanks for dying for my sins, but I don’t need to obey you Lord because my happiness is more important.”

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

God commands us to Him and to love your neighbor as yourself. If I was doing something destructive and sinful, I would hope fellow believers would love me enough to confront me, and love God enough to stand up for righteousness.

When I was living together and having sex with my husband before we were married, we sure were thankful for those who loved us enough to tell us we were wrong. Sure, we loved each other deeply and were committed to our relationship, but we loved the Lord more and wanted to be obedient towards Him by no longer living in sin. The Lord convicted our hearts and we moved out and lived separately until we got married. Since then, God has poured out His blessings on us, and used us to glorify His Name and warn others of the destruction of sexual immorality.

Doesn’t real love require us to confront each other if we saw that they were sinning, hurting themselves, and blaspheming the name of the LORD?

Yes, Jesus “is” love. God is love. But God is also Just, Holy and Righteous.

My interpretation of Scripture is predictably received as "hate" to those who reject the Truth in God’s Word. You and your gay pals preach - “love,” “tolerance” and “don’t judge,” but everyone seemed extremely intolerant and judgmental of me and my views. Where’s the love there? You called me hateful and angry because my worldview happens to align with the Bible when I say homosexuality is a SIN. You and your friends repeatedly made harsh insults towards me, false accusations, threats, and judgments about my heart and motives, for which you know nothing about.

DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE!!!

*Remember – “If you treat one of his children with hatred---whether being judgmental or criticizing one another; it’s still looked down upon by God.”

Indeed, I made one harsh statement about not being a HOMO, but it pales in comparison to the “lack of love” that was displayed from everyone towards me.

=======================

Speaking of LOVE – let’s put your “love” to the test…

According to you, we should love and respect everyone regardless. Never judge anyone for anything, no matter what the circumstance, right? After all, we are all sinners, and it matters not to God what sin you commit, because all sins are the same in God’s eyes. Besides, only God can be the Judge.

What if someone kidnapped, raped and murdered your girlfriend? Do you really love and respect what he did? Would you judge that person and say it was wrong?

What about the Catholic priests who molest and sodomized young boys? Would you ever judge them? Do you respect what they do as leaders of the Catholic church?

What about a mother and her adult son, or a brother and sister who love each other and have monogamous sex together? Is that wrong?

What about a drug dealer who hangs around a school playground and sells drug to small children? Do you love and respect what he does? Would you tell him it was wrong?

What about a bunch of angry protesters who speak out against homosexuality and perversion? Do you judge them or condemn what they do? Or do you love and respect protesters?

To me it's as simple as this. NOTHIN that happens to us, that we feel, that we imagine - is unknown to God. Essensially - nothin natural is "ungodly". If thats what we are - and we bring ourselves to God? Thats all that matters.

I really like your blog. I really like you insights. I would love for you to visit our new group blog about Christianity and God:Live, Love and Ponder.

Marvelous post, Deb. As I read it the song “Home Is Where the Heart Is” started playing in my mind to the point I ended up pulling out my guitar and playing and singing to myself—and my cat, Alex.

I can’t sing it to you, but I can share the lyrics:

On the corner there’s this nice manHis name is Mark, he’s always smilingHe’s got this mom who comes on WednesdaysIn the evening with soup so steamingHe shares his house with his friend MartinThey’re not brothers, they’re not cousinsMy little girl wonders all about these menI take hold of her hand, and I begin

Home is where the heart isNo matter how the heart livesInside your heart where love isThat’s where you’ve got to make yourselfAt home

Across the yard live Deb and TriciaWith their tools and laddersAnd their room additionMy kid yells over, are ya having a baby? They wink and smile, they say, someday maybe.But through their doors go kids and mommiesFunny how you don’t see the daddies go inMy little girl wondersbout this house with no men,I take hold of her handAnd I begin

Home is where the heart isNo matter how the heart livesInside your heart where love isThat’s where you’ve got to make yourselfAt home

Round the corner, here comes MartinHe’s alone now, he tries smilingHe roams around his well stocked kitchenHe knows that fate will soon be comingMy little girl wonders where he will liveI take hold of her hand and I begin

Home is where the heart isNo matter how the heart livesInside your heart where love isThat’s where you’ve got to make yourselfAt home

Martin sits and waits with his windows openHis house is empty, his heart is brokenWe bring him toys and watercolorsHe loves to hear my little baby’s storiesShe’s the gift I shareShe’s his companionShe’s the string on the kiteShe guides him into the windMy little girl wonders who will care for himWe take hold of his hand and we begin

Home is where the heart isNo matter how the heart livesInside your heart where love isThat’s where you’ve got to make yourselfAt home

As far as I know there has only been one perfect son (or daughter)and the rest of us are flawed. My deal is if isn't hurting anyoneI know, then it's none of my business. Gay marriage is the same as non-gay unions, they are not hurting anyone I know...so what does it matter to me? Let me think, people are happy...kids have good homes...stability is a cornerstone....yeah...it just sounds bad. Silly people in this world want to protest that...fuck em...they also probably see the Virgin Mary in a bowl of oatmeal and try to sell it on ebay. Trailer trash of the religious highway I think I will call it.

The documentary basically shows how loving gay parents are, regardless of what the radical bible thumping bigots have to say. I mean, in any family, you have your ‘good households' and your 'not so good households'. As long as your parents are ‘loving’, what does it matter? These kids were not abused, nor were they raised foolishly. Most of them were attending very good colleges and have their act together. It was very moving to see these families come together and share their stories. I’m not the biggest fan of Rosie’s either, but she really outdone herself with this documentary.

Thank you for all your comments. I really loved the song that ‘Sometimes Saintly Nick’ put out there. That was wonderful…thank you!

Dani, yes we have beaten this dead horse a thousand times. It’s obvious that we do not agree. I believe that our physical nature will always go against the spiritual one. But there is a huge difference between God knowing your heart---and having evil intentions. You have to separate the two if you’re willing to be open-minded.

I wish nothing but happiness, love and health for you Dani, as I have. I hope that your life is filled with joy and love, and that you accept yourself the way God accepts you. I wish contentment and peace in your life; a heart that feels ‘complete’, and a heart for others. But most of all, I hope your children grow up with an accepting heart—and not a heart that is filled with hatred and prejudice for those who are different. I hope they don’t end up hurting people viciously with their words, as you apparently have taken that route with me and in your own blog with discriminating slang. The tongue is the most powerful tool. Your words can either build someone up, or tear them down.

Which do you choose? The best to you Dani, and your family. Thanks for stopping by again.

I wrote to Dani. Had to tell her that I hope, pray, wish...whatever, that all three of her daughters grow up to be lesbians. Yes. I went there. Why? Because, I want to know if she will abandon her children that she supposedly loves so much for being abominations of God. I think I will track her blog every single day for the next 20 years. I am hoping to find out that at least ONE of her daughters is a moral sinner. Gimme an out of wedlock intercourse. Gimme an abortion. PLEASE give me a homosexual! I don't know if I can wait to see how it turns out!

But, I wonder, deeply, if this saintly mother of three darling daughters would turn her back on them or, become the thing she apparently hates the most...a hypocrite, to continue to love her daughters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dear Lord,

Judge Dani lightly when she enters your Kingdom. She hasn't got a clue. I will pray for her to find one, though, despite her being very ugly in mind and soul. She is pretty cute though, in face and body...but I suppose she needs SOME redeeming quality. Do you think she would hook up with me? Nah, nevermind God. Stick to the original request.

Intolerance is just so ugly. I recently wrote a piece on my own blog about my sister coming out. Her change has changed the way that I think about homosexuality. It just made sense for her. And how could I ever judge something that was just right for someone I love?

Thanks for your words on the subject. I'll be sending my sis this link. Look forward to reading more.

i checked out dani's blog from the last post. to be honest, i worry about the statement in her profile about "train up my children with the Fear and Admonition of the Lord!".

a little too old testament, eye for an eye for me. guess the parts of the trinity that focus on love, forgiveness, and working to be a better person (evolving toward god) don't cut it for the fundamentalists. sort of amusing, since jesus fought the pharisees and religous zealots of the times because the letter of the law was more important than the spirit of the law.

anyway - i for one have had enough of this debate. i know where i side. opinions won't change. i think we should all just move along.... nothing left to see here....

although wonder what she would think of my "go to book" when i'm troubled. richard bach's book 'illusions'....

[excerpts:]

1. THERE WAS A MASTER COME UNTO THE EARTH, BORN IN THE HOLY LAND OF INDIANA, RAISED IN THE MYSTICAL HILLS EAST OF FORT WAYNE.

2. THE MASTER LEARNED OF THIS WORLD IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF INDIANA, AND AS HE GREW IN HIS TRADE AS A MECHANIC OF AUTOMOBILES.

3. BUT THE MASTER HAD LEARNINGS FROM OTHER LANDS AND OTHER SCHOOLS, FROM OTHER LIVES THAT HE HAD LIVED. HE REMEMBERED THESE, AND REMEMBERING BECAME WISE AND STRONG, SO THAT OTHERS SAW HIS STRENGTH AND CAME TO HIM FOR COUNCIL.

4. THE MASTER BELIEVED THAT HE HAD THE POWER TO HELP HIMSELF AND ALL OF MANKIND. AND AS HE BELIEVED SO IT WAS FOR HIM, SO THAT OTHERS SAW HIS POWER AND CAME TO HIM TO BE HEALED OF THEIR MANY TROUBLES AND THEIR MANY DISEASED.

5. THE MASTER BELIEVED THAT IT IS WELL FOR ANY MAN TO THINK UPON HIMSELF AS A SON OF GOD, AND AS HE BELIEVED, SO IT WAS. AND THE SHOPS AND GARAGES WHERE HE WORKED BECAME CROWDED AND JAMMED WITH THOSE WHO SOUGHT HIS LEARNING AND HIS TOUCH; AND THE STREETS OUTSIDE WITH THOSE WHO LONGED ONLY THAT THE SHADOW OF HIS PASSING MIGHT FALL UPON THEM AND CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

-- The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.

Rarely do members of one family grow under the same roof.

--

There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.

Though I'm not really into religion, it's fairly easy to side with you on the whole hypocrisy and kind treatment of others stance...(One would think that any rational person with an open mind and a will of their own should)...

Good post. The whole issue makes me sick. Why cant same sex couples take in kid, would they rather the kids go to some messed up straight couple? What happened to KIDS JUST GOING TO TWO ABLE ADULTS? What goes on behind their bedroom doors is no ones business but their own.

I checked out Dani's blog, why would she even have that 70's show on with a three year old around? I wouldnt of let my kid watch that show when they were 10. What does she have 'gaydar'? The show is full of drugs, drinking, sex before marriage....and she zeros in on one scene, probably ever, of two guys making out?

CP you said this -- “I had to tell Dani that I hope, pray, wish...whatever, that all three of her daughters grow up to be lesbians. Yes. I went there. Why? I want to know if she will abandon her children that she supposedly loves so much for being abominations of God. I think I will track her blog every single day for the next 20 years. I am hoping to find out that at least ONE of her daughters is a moral sinner. Gimme an out of wedlock intercourse. Gimme an abortion. PLEASE give me a homosexual! I don't know if I can wait to see how it turns out!”

As thoughtful and loving as that is, and while I do still want you to be a fan and check back with me for the 20 years, I’ll save you the suspense on this one…

Hypothetically speaking, if one of my daughters came to me and told me she was a lesbian, I would rebuke her, let her know that I do not accept her lifestyle, and remind her that homosexuality is destructive and an abomination to God. Same if she was fornicating or if she murdered her own child. If she did not repent and turn from her sin and perversion, I would disown her.

Of course, my heart would be terribly grieved and I would pray without ceasing that God would turn her heart back towards Him and that she would repent from her wicked ways. As soon as she did, I would welcome her with loving arms.

Sounds pretty harsh doesn’t it? Well, admittedly it is. But, I would love my girls enough to tell them the truth (just like I love Deb enough to tell her the truth). Further, I love Lord Jesus Christ more than I love my own children, and I am no hypocrite!

===================

Oh silly Miranda, don’t get all in a tizzy. I don’t “brag” that my 3 year old watched That 70's Show. I simply said she happened to walk in the room just in time for the big gay smooch-a-roo. While I do think the show is funny, I would never let my kids watch it (just like I wouldn’t let them listen to Eminem) for obvious reasons. But, just like you pointed out, the show contains, drugs, alcohol, and sex before marriage which is not appropriate for children, and was borderline offensive to me – But, I have to draw the line with homo stuff – That totally grossed me out and I won’t watch it ever again!

I just love how you pick and choose verses out of context to fit your agenda. 2 Timothy 3:12 - “Yes, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

True - but YOU don't classify as one who is living a godly life in Christ Jesus, so the so-called "persecution" you and your homosexual companions experience is righteous condemnation towards perversion.

Keep talking about "walking in love" and not judging sin, but remember, YOU are the one who cannot judge because you are absolutely lawless in the eyes of God. And you know nothing of real love!

Here is another verse that maybe is a little more appropriate for you:

1 John 3:4-9 - "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."

How can you love God while proudly living in sin? You have not been born of God - You are of the devil!

About Me

Debra Pasquella is the author of A Prayer Away From Healing, freelance blogger & creator of Gays & Lesbians of Faith. Content is sometimes opinionated, controversial, offensive or inspiring. That’s all up to you. An open mind is required. Ask your doctor if this blog’s right for you.